Betrayed, Yet Bound To The Billionaire by Grace Madeline

Chapter 9 The rope bit cruelly into her neck , leaving an angry red mark .

The emerald pendant that had once hung there was now ripped away , clenched tightly in Odalyss hand .

Odalys ! Are you fucking insane ! How dare you steal from me ? Hannahs voice was shrill , her perfectly made up face contorted with rage .

The fury etched every wrinkle onto her forehead like an accusation Odalys cast a cold glance at the pendant resting in her palm before shoving it into her bag without a second thought .

Steal from you ? Dont make me laugh .

This pendant was my mentors gift to me a protective charm .

I gave it to you out of kindness , but that doesnt mean it ever belonged to you .

My mistake was thinking you were worth it .

Her lips curled into a sharp , bitter smirk .

You dont deserve it now .

This pendant wasnt just jewelry it was blessed , carrying the energy of protection .

Her mentor had kept it close for over twenty years to ward off ham .

When Odalys returned to the Rennett family and saw the dark shadow hanging over Hannahs face , she had handed it over without hesitation .

That pendant had saved Hannahs Life .

And how had Hannah repaid her ? By forcing her into a proxy marriage and scheming against her at every turn .

Enough was enough .

Odalys wasnt going to let them walk all over her anymore .

You ungrateful brat Hannah shrieked , her chest heaving .

Tm your mother ! How dare you talk to me like that ? Do you want to be part of this family or not ? Her glare was sharp and venomous , filled with the kind of hatred , that felt colder than ice .

Odalys realized then that the chasm between them wasnt something words could bridge .

This wasnt just family drama it was war .

Do you think I caret Odalys shot back , her voice like steel .

You abandoned me , threw me into a marriage I didnt want and now you think Id crawl back to you ? You think youre worth it ? Her smirk deepened , a bitter edge to her expression .

For the first time , she truly accepted it this family didnt love her , never had .

The pain she thought shed feel wasnt there anymore .

Only clarity .

Odalys , youve gone too far ! Atlas stormed into the room , stepping between her and Hannah like some kind of hero .

His expression was full of anger , his voice dripping with disdain .

Odalys : Sophia chimed in, her voice trembling , her eyes watery as if she were on the verge of tears .

You already took the bride price this mornings wasnt that enough ? Now youre here to take Moms pendant ? Why are you doing this to her ? Shes always been so good to you .

But Odalys caught the flicker in Sophias eyes a flash of malice and satisfaction buried beneath the crocodile tears .

It was quick , almost imperceptible , but shed seen it .

Once upon a time , she might have fallen for it .

Now ? Not a chance .

Sophias line performance only fanned the flames .

I shouldve strangled you at birth , you ungrateful br Hannah apat , her voice cracking with fury , Odalys stared at her mother , a calm , icy smile tugging at her lips .

Strangled me ! For what ? Lets not rewrite history here I was missing for 17 years .

and none of you even bothered to look for me .

Ive been back for seven months , and not once have you treated me like family .

Seven months of running errands for your precious son , working at your company for free , cleaning up after everyone in this house while your maids sat on their asses and I didnt get a single word of thanks .

When I first came back and you were so sick you couldnt even remember your own name , who stayed up all night by your side , taking care of you ! Youre quick to throw around accusations , but where were you when I needed a mother ! Her voice was calm , but each word hit like a knife .

The room fell silent .

Even Caspian , who had just walked in , froze at the top of the stairs , his expression unreadable .

Youre right about one thing , though Odalys let out a cold , humorless laugh .

I must be ungrateful .

Otherwise , why would I have given my mentors protective pendant to someone like you ? Turns out , you dont fucking deserve it She wasnt angry anymore .

If anything , the whole thing felt absurd .

Their so called fmily ties ? Severed long ago .

This wasnt a confrontation in was a formality , a moment shed forget about as soon as she walked out the door .

The only reason shed even come back for the pendant was because of Hannahs relentless calls , each one more vicious than the last .

That pendant had saved Hannahs life once , shielding her during her darkest days .

1/3 Chapter 9 Without it , she might not have survived to stand here , screaming accusations and playing the victim Odalys Stonet Are you out of your mind ? Im your mother ! How dare you talk to me like that ? Do you even want to come back to the Bennett family ? Hannahs voice was shrill , her chest rising and falling with fury .

For a moment , it seemed like she might keel over Odalys watched the tremor in her body , the haze in her eyes , and for some mexplicable reason , she felt a flicker of satisfaction .

Life has a twisted sense of humor , doesnt it ? You could fight fate all you want , but in the end , you will only exhaust yourself , she thought Dont bother showing me the door .

From now on , I wouldnt come back to the Bennett house even if you rolled out a red carpet , she said , her tone breezy , almost mocking , as she turned to leave .

But her steps were cut short by a towering figure blocking her path her brother , Henry .

His anger was palpable , radiating off him like a thunderstorm .

He stood there , his broad shoulders casting a long shadow , his eyes fixed on her with a cold , unwavering fury Move , she said , her voice like ice .

She sidestepped , but his hand shot out , grabbing her arm with a grip so tight it felt like he might snap her bones .

Apologize , he demanded , his voice low and commanding .

Apologize to Mom .

Right now .

Odalys turned her head slowly , fixing him with a stare that oozed contempt , like she couldnt believe what she was hearing .

Are you fucking senous ? Odalys .

Henry growled , his voice darker now , heavy with warning .

Dont push me .

Im only saying this once more apologize to Mom and return the Stewart familys wedding gifs .

Or else Before he could finish , her palm connected with his face in a sharp , echoing slap .

His head snapped to the side , and the room went deathly silent .

Henry staggered slightly , his gold rimmed glasses flying off and landing with a clatter on the floor .

A bright red handprint bloomed across his check The other Bennetts stared at her , their eyes wide with shock .

The Odalys they knew wouldve never dared raise her voice , let alone her hand .

But the woman standing before them now ? She looked untouchable , fierce Youre unbelievable , Henry : Odalys sneered , her voice sharp enough h to cut .

Thick skinned , entitled , and delusional .

No wonder youre next in line to run this circus .

Who the hell do you think you are to stand there and bark orders at me ? And dont even get me started on your little fantasy about the Stewart familys gifts Her gaze locked onto his cold and unrelenting .

Listen carefully .

My name is Odalys Stone .

Im not a Bennett , and I sure as hell dont belong to this family anymore .

So dont you dare think you can tell me what to do She stepped back and stomped her heel onto the fallen glasses , the satisfying crunch of shattering glass punctuating her words .

Without missing a beat , she turned toward the door .

And stop fucking calling me , she threw over her shoulder before striding out .

Just as she reached the foyer , Caspian descended the stairs .

He took one look at her defiant posture , her head held high , and something in him snapped .

His face darkened , and he stormed toward her , his fist clenched and ready to swing .

Before he could get close , a loud voice boomed from the doorway .

Mrs.

Stewart , Mr.

Stewart is waiting for you at home .

Hes asked you to retum for dinner .

The word Mrs.

Stewart cut through the chaos like a knife .

Caspians raised tht wavered mid air before he swung it wildly at the nearest object , a decorative vase .

The vase shattered on impact , shards scattering across the floor .

Odalys smirked , her eyes flicking toward the chauffeur standing in the doorway .

His interruption couldnt have been more perfectly timed .

Clearly , hed had enough of the drama and decided to step in .

She was grateful if only because Caspian had just dodged a world of pain .

Lets go , she said curly , brushing past the stunned onlookers as if they didnt exist .

The chauffeur followed , guiding her into the sleek black car waiting outside .

As they sped away , Odilys glanced at the rearview mirror and caught sight of Caspian , who looked ready to storm after her .

Henry , however , grabbed his arm and held him back .

Maam , the chauffeur ventured cautiously , glancing at her through the mirror .

Are you alright ? Odalys leaned back , closing her eyes with a long sigh .

Im fine .

Theyre nothing but background noise .

Hack at the Bennett estate , Caspian wrenched his arm free from Henrys grip , his face flushed with rage .

Why the hell did you stop me ? That hatch deserves to be put in her place Chapter 9 Henry shot him a sharp look , his voice low and clipped .

That wasnt just anyone , Caspian .

That was the Stewart familys driver .

If youd hit her , youd have dragged is all down with you .

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